Cambridge, MA, June 1997 -- Immunetics, Inc. is announcing the release of the QualiCode HIV-1/2 Kit. This membrane-based immunoassay includes an HIV-1 lysate and HIV-2 recombinant protein band for the detection of specific human IgG antibody to HIV-1 and HIV-2 in human serum or plasma.
The QualiCode methodology is a qualitative assay which has the sensitivity and specificity of a confirmatory test. To ensure complete utilization of its components, the QualiCode kit is designed to accommodate a variety of batch sizes (from 1 to 24 samples). Included in the kit are: 24 UPC test strips, all necessary reagents and controls to perform the immunoassay, and three 8-channel incubation trays. The assay can be performed in under three hours and eliminates the costly repetitive testing required by different methodologies.
The QualiCode Assay consists of three simple steps. Human serum, plasma, or dried blood spot is diluted in sample buffer and added to the UPC test strip containing bands of specific proteins from HIV-1/2. Specific antibody in the sample binds to these proteins. Enzyme-tagged antibody is then added and will bind to the antibody/protein complex. Added substrate reacts with the bound enzyme and the antibody/protein complexes appear as colored bands. The band pattern, like a bar code, is unique to a specific infectious organism. The UPC test strip can then be compared to the positive Reference Strip included with every kit for band identification. Positive and Negative Controls and a Record Sheet are also provided with each kit to simplify interpretation and documentation of the results.